In preparing for the 1998 Workplace Employee Relations Survey it was recognised that much had altered in British industrial relations since the series of surveys began, and that it was time to re-consider the issues that informed the structure of the survey and the design of the questionnaires. This paper summarises the discussions which took place among the sponsors about the ways in which the survey should be modified.

Reports the main findings from the 2004 workplace employment relations survey (WERS 2004) conducted by the DTI, Acas, the Economic and Social Research Council and the Policy Studies Institute. This fifth survey in the series provides a nationally representative account of the state of employment relations and working life inside British workplaces.

Report on the consultation on the design and content of the sixth workplace employment relations survey (see URN 10/599, 10/600, 10/651 and 10/602). Presents a consolidation of the academic, government and social partner consultations. Aims to summarise the consultation discussion on methodology, topic areas and questions proposed for deletion. Outlines the issues and broad recommendations that will be taken into consideration by the steering committee and research team when finalising the 2011 survey.

Closed consultation on proposals for changes to the workplace employment relations survey (WERS) worker representative questionnaire. It proposes substantial change to the worker representative questionnaire, to reduce it to a 20 minute telephone survey. See also related consultation documents on management (10/599), on employees (10/600), and the response form (10/609). Consultation period ended 17 March 2010. See 10/1120 for the consultation report.

Closed consultation with proposals for changes to the workplace employment relations survey's survey of employees questionnaire (SEQ). Aims to identify questions that need to be amended or replaced, and propose new topics to include, whilst balancing the need for continuity. See also related consultation documents on management (10/599), on workplace representatives (10/651), and the response form (10/609). Consultation period ended 17 March 2010. See 10/1120 for the consultation report.

Closed consultation with proposals for changes to the workplace employment relations survey (WERS) management questionnaire. Aims to reduce the length of the management questionnaire. See also the annotated 2004 questionnaire URN 10/602, related consultation documents on employees (10/600) on workplace representatives (10/651), and the response form (10/609). Consultation period ended 17 March 2010. See 10/1120 for the consultation report.

Provides reliable nationally representative data on the current state of workplace relations in Britain. Entirely based on information gathered in the 1998 Workplace Employee Relations Survey (WERS 98), the largest survey of it's kind conducted in the world, and the fourth series of surveys which began in 1980.

The interview with the manager was carried out using Computer Aided Personal Interviewing (CAPI). The survey ‘instrument’ is, therefore, a computer programme, the structure of which is not as straightforward as a conventional pen and paper questionnaire. Subsequently, the purpose of this document is to make the understanding of what went on when a manager was interviewed as easy as possible, in a paper format, for both the interested observer and the researcher who intends to analyse the data in more detail. It is presented in two parts the first being an account of every question asked in the interview. This is followed by a precise description of the routing rules upon which the interview hangs.

The interview with the worker representative was carried out using Computer Aided Personal Interviewing (CAPI). The survey ‘instrument’ is, therefore, a computer programme, the structure of which is not as straightforward as a conventional pen and paper questionnaire. Subsequently, the purpose of this document is to make the understanding of what went on when a worker representative was interviewed as easy as possible, in a paper format, for both the interested observer and the researcher who intends to analyse the data in more detail. It is presented in two parts the first being an account of every question asked in the interview. This is followed by a precise description of the routing rules upon which the interview hangs.

The 2004 WERS management questionnaire updated to show the questions that are proposed should not be asked in 2011 and those where some modifications are proposed. This annotated questionnaire should be read alongside the 'Review of the workplace employment relations survey: management questionnaire (MQ)' (URN 10/599). See also related consultation documents on employees (10/600), on workplace representatives (10/651), and the response form (10/609). Relates to a consultation that closed 17 March 2010. See 10/1120 for the consultation report.